Method of removing sulfur from deposits thereof



(No Model.)

J. A. DUBBS. METHOD OF REMOVING SULFUR FROM DEPOSITS THEREOF.

No. 531,787. Patented Jan. 1, 1895.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR,

$23764 (M wig UNrrEDT STATES JESSE A. DUBBS, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA.

METHOD OF REMOVlNG SULFUR FROM DEPOSITS THEREOF.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 531,787, dated January 1, 1 895.

Application filed December a, 1393.

To (ZZZ: whom it may concern:

Be itknown that 1, Jesse A. DUBBS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Pittsburg, in thecounty ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented or discovered certain new and useful Improvements in Methods of Removing Sulfur from Deposits Thereof, of whichimprovements the following is a specification.

In applications, Serial Nos. 494,161 and i94,163, filed December 20, 1893, I have described and claimed methods of obtaining sulphu r where the deposit thereof is overlaid by geological formations through which it is difficult to sink a shaft, in order to mine the sulphur in the usual manner, such method consisting, generally stated, in rendering the sulphur fluid by the application of heat thereto in the form of ahighly heated fluid or by any other suitable means, so that the fluid may be removed by pumps, or other suitable means.

The present invention relates to a method of reuderingthe sulphur liquid and gaseous, and removing the same by pumps or pressure, and then changing the gaseous sulphur into a commercial product, as, for example, sulphuric acid.

In the accompanying drawing forming part of this specification, is shown a form of apparatus partly in section and partly in eleva tion, adapted for use in the practice of my invention.

As stated in the specification hereinbefore referred to, a casing l is forced down through the superincumbent strata to or into the underlyin g deposit of so] phur. Through this casing is passed tube 2, provided at its lower end with an inlet valve 3, and having arranged within it a valved piston i. This piston is attached to the lower end of a rod 5, passing up through a stuffing box 6, in the upper end of the tube, and connected to any suitable operating mechanism whereby the piston may be raised and lowered. Through the casing is also passed a pipe 7, whose lower end extends down into the deposit of sulphur, and has its upper end connected to any suitable form of air blowing apparatus.

When the apparatus has beenarranged as $erial No. 49 11162. (No specimens.)

described, an air blast is forced down through the pipe 7, and the sulphur is ignited by any suitable means, as, for example, a highly heated piece of metal or an electric spark formed by the passage of electric currents from the end of the wire 12, to the metallic casing 1. As the combustion of the sulphur proceeds, such combustion being supported by the air forced in through the pipe 7, the sulphurous gases thus generated will pass up through the casing 1, and be conducted by a pipe 8, connected to the easing, into the chamber 10, wherein it is oxidized from sulphurous acid 80 to sulphuric acid S0,, in

the usual or any suitable manner, as, for example, by mingling therewith nitrous acid and steam, thereby forming sulphuric acid, which passes on into the lead-lined chamber 11, and is condensed therein.

As the combustion of the sulphur willgene rate sufficient heat to liquefy large quantities of the deposit, the liquid sulphur is removed by means of the pump in the pipe 01' tube'2, which is provided at its upper end, with a branch 9 for conducting the liquid sulphur to any suitable point, where it is reduced to a marketable condition.

I claim herein as my inventiou 1. As an improvement in the art of obtaining sulphur from deposits thereof, the method herein described, which consists in melting the sulphur by the combustion of a portion thereof'in Stilt, and then removing the molten sulphur, substantially as set forth.

2. As an improvement in the art of obtaining sulphur from deposits thereof, the method herein described, which consists in melting the sulphur by the combustion of a portion thereof in situ, removing the molten sulphur and products of combustion, and then reducing such products of combustion to a commercial product, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

JESSE A. DUBBS.

Witnesses:

DARWIN S. Wonoorr, F. E. GAITHER. 

